Blackmailed by the Italian Billionaire

Chapter Nine



The doorbell rang. It was just after ten. This must be my babysitter for the shopping trip. Obviously, Luc thought she was quite incapable of selecting an appropriate dress herself.

When she opened the door, a woman stood outside, her finger poised to ring again. A smile flickered across her lips, but her eyes remained cool. “You must be Olivia?”

“Yes, but call me Lia, please.”

“I’m Maggie,” the woman said. “Luc asked me to come over. He said you need help shopping.”

Maggie was a very attractive woman, probably in her mid to late forties; it was hard to tell, she was so well groomed, her hair and makeup flawless. Tall—as tall as Lia—and slender in cream capri pants and a sapphire silk shirt, which matched her dark blue eyes. Her blond hair was exquisitely cut in a shoulder-length bob.

She was returning the interest, though the look she sent Lia’s way was not entirely friendly.

Lia realized she was staring. “I need a dress. For a party.”

“So Luc said.”

Lia frowned; definitely not friendly. She so didn’t need this hassle on top of everything else. “If this isn’t convenient for you…”

Maggie shook her head. “I’m sorry. I was just thinking how like your mother you are.”

“You knew my mother?”

“Not well. She didn’t mix with the likes of me in those days.”

“My mother was a bit of a snob.” Lia smiled ruefully.

Maggie cocked her head to one side. “What did Luc tell you about me?”

“Not much. Just that you were a friend of his mother’s when she lived in London.”

Maggie smiled. “That will do for the moment. Come on, let’s shop.”

Lia went and picked up her jacket from the chair in the hall. “I don’t have much money,” she said as she followed Maggie to the elevator.

“Don’t worry. Luc’s sorted that out.”

Lia stopped moving, her shoulders stiffening. “I can’t let him buy my clothes.”

“Why not?”

“Well…”

“Look Lia, from what I understand, you’re doing Luc a favor—”

“No—”

“And from what I gather, the clothes we’re buying won’t be useful when you go back home. So just accept them as a gift and enjoy it.”

The concierge held the door for them as they exited the apartment building. Maggie hovered for a moment outside. “Would you like to get a cab or walk?” she asked Lia.

“Walk.” She was used to being more active, and some physical activity might ease her restlessness. Besides, she was eager to see some of the city. This was a far different place from the seedy area she’d wandered into three weeks earlier looking for The Crazy Frog.

Here, the streets were wide, edged with tall, elegant buildings intersected with formal areas of gardens, giving the impression of vast luxury and affluence. She couldn’t remember much of the city from when she was a child, and suddenly she was filled with excitement just to be here. Why not take advantage of her forced vacation? See some of the sights; Buckingham Palace wasn’t far, then there was the Tower, and the London Eye. She could take one of those open-topped double-decker bus tours just like a real tourist…

Soon the residential area gave way to shops, and their steps slowed as Lia peered into all the different windows. The clothes were gorgeous, but she couldn’t imagine herself living the sort of life where such things mattered. Finally, Maggie came to a halt outside a huge department store. Harrods had been her mother’s favorite shop. Lia had never been, but now she pushed through the revolving doors and stepped inside.

…



Hours later, Lia collapsed into a seat at a table in the Terrace Bar on the fourth floor of Harrods. Her feet were killing her, but she was surprised to find she’d actually enjoyed herself. Hopefully it was just novelty value, as she was sure it could become a very expensive hobby.

Maggie ordered lobster Caesar salad and champagne cocktails for both of them. “Here’s to rich men,” she said, lifting her glass. “May they never run out of money.”

Lia raised her glass and clinked it against Maggie’s. She had come to appreciate the other woman’s sense of humor over the past couple of hours; Maggie was quick-witted, kept up a constant stream of incisive comments about the other customers, and she definitely knew about clothes. The dress she had chosen for Lia was perfect; even Lia could see that. It was long, very simple, and midnight blue, which according to Maggie brought out the color in her eyes.

Lia took a sip of the icy cold drink. It was delicious. She put down her glass. “So Maggie, did you know my father?”

“Not really.” Maggie’s tone was wary.

“But you must have, if you knew my mother.”

“I told you—I knew of your mother—I didn’t know her. Look, love, I’m sorry, but I can’t talk about your father.”

Lia’s brows drew together. “Why not?”

“Let’s just say I made a promise and leave it at that.”

“A promise? To whom?” It was a stupid question, really. Who could it have been but Luc?

“Change the subject, Lia.”

Obviously, she was going to get nothing out of Maggie about her father. Why had Luc told her not to talk about him? Why was it such a big secret?

“So tell me about Luc’s mother then. Luc said you were friends.”

“Isabella was a beauty.” Maggie was obviously happy to talk about Luc’s family if not Lia’s. “She was wasted on Luc’s dad. Her family pretty much disowned her, or she disowned them, when she took up with him.”

“What was his father like?”

“No good. He was also married at the time, never did get around to marrying Bella. But she loved him. He had some of Luc’s looks—his eyes.” She shivered dramatically. “A woman would put up with a lot of crap for eyes like those, not to mention the rest of his assets.”

“It sounds like you knew her really well.”

“Yeah, well, Bella wasn’t like your mum, she was real friendly. She didn’t mind what I was.”

Lia studied her curiously. “Just what was it you did back then, Maggie?”

“I was a prostitute, and not a particularly high-class one at that.” She smiled at Lia’s obvious shock. “Close your mouth, Lia.”

“But…” She tried to marshal her thoughts. “But you’re so…classy.”

“Thanks, but I wasn’t always like this. It was Luc who helped me. When he started making money, he helped all his old friends. All the people who had stood by him when he got into trouble.”

“Trouble?” That sounded interesting. “What sort of trouble?”

Maggie shifted and glanced away. “Oh, nothing bad. Luc just went a little wild after his father died, but he soon settled down. Bella had gone back to her family in Italy by then. They tried to help Luc, but he was determined to make it on his own.” She grinned. “He told them he would accept their help after he made his first million. And he did—he was always determined. Anyway, after that he bought the club for Harley, set me up in business.”

“What sort of business?”

“Oh, I don’t pull tricks anymore. I’m a respectable businesswoman. I run an escort agency. Real upmarket. I don’t say that none of my girls offer extras, but that’s up to them.” She took a sip of her drink and viewed Lia over the rim of her glass. “Interested in Luc, are you?” Maggie asked. “I don’t blame you. Luc’s gorgeous, always was.”

“Have you known him long?”

“Since he was born. He was a beautiful child.” She smiled at some memory. “Very precocious.”

What did that mean? “Sometimes, I don’t think he likes me much.”

“Well, you’re his type, that’s for sure. And that might be the problem. He had a real classy girlfriend a long time ago. She looked a lot like you, and she dumped him when he got into...”

“Trouble?”

“Never mind. You’ve got it pretty bad, haven’t you?”

“Got what?”

“Luc.”

“No, I haven’t,” Lia protested, but Maggie just smiled.

“He is gorgeous,” she said, “and all my girls go through it, but they’re a tough lot and realistic about life.”

“I’m tough,” Lia muttered, feeling a little offended.

Maggie grinned and patted her cheek. “Of course you are.”

They walked back to the apartment together, but Maggie refused Lia’s offers of a drink or dinner or just about anything that would keep Lia from being alone with Luc. Maggie was about to walk away, but at the last moment turned back.

“Look, love...” Maggie paused as though unsure as to whether to go on. Then she shrugged. “You’re a nice girl. I like you, and I never expected to, so I’ll give you some advice. Be careful. Don’t fall for Luc. I’m not sure what you’re doing here with him, or what Luc is planning, but I know Luc, and I knew of your father. And I don’t see how anything good can come of this.”

“You can’t leave it at that,” Lia said. “Please, tell me why Luc wants to find my father.”

Maggie shook her head. “That’s up to Luc to tell you. I’ll send a couple of my girls over on Saturday, help you get ready, do your nails, that sort of thing.” She leaned across and kissed Lia on the cheek, and then she was gone.

…



Lia sat, curled up on the cream leather sofa going over what Maggie had said, when Luke arrived home. He was dressed in a dark business suit and appeared cool and remote.

“So how did your day go with Maggie?” he asked.

“Fine, I liked her. We found a really beautiful gown and a whole load to talk about.”

Luc raised an eyebrow.

“She said you were precocious,” Lia said to his unspoken question. He smiled a slow, reminiscent smile, and her eyes narrowed. “Just how precocious were you, Luc?”

He took off his suit jacket, flung it on the back of the chair, and sank down opposite her, his long legs stretched out, his head against the back of the seat. He was lost in thought for a moment then he looked at her. “I lost my virginity to Maggie on my fifteenth birthday.”

Lia gasped. “She must have been old enough to be your mother.”

“I think she was around thirty at the time. She was beautiful, experienced, and generous. What more could a boy ask for?” He smiled. “She taught me a lot.”

“Do you and she still…”

“Sleep together? No.”

He got up and poured himself a drink. “You want one?”

Lia shook her head.

“I’ll see you at dinner then.” He took his drink and disappeared into his office, leaving Lia alone to brood. But not for long. Thirty minutes after Luc arrived, the doorbell rang. When Luc didn’t emerge from his office, she went to answer it herself. Her mouth fell open when she saw who was standing on the other side.

“I went to see Kelly,” Pete said. “She gave me this address. She said you were staying with a friend.” He peered around the opulent hallway, his eyes widening.

“She’s staying with me,” Luc said from behind her. Lia swung around; she hadn’t realized Luc had emerged from his den. He came up close behind her and slipped a hand around her waist, pulling her against him in a gesture that was blatantly possessive. Lia felt the heat of him through the thin silk of his shirt.

“The security guard phoned up from the lobby, otherwise your employer wouldn’t have gotten this far,” Luc whispered in her ear. The rush of his breath against her skin gave her goose bumps.

The two of them eyed each other up and down like two stallions sniffing over the same mare.

Pete appeared shocked at the arm around her waist. “I just wanted to check that you were okay. And we need to talk about that business we discussed. I’ve cleared it with the bank.”

“Come in,” Lia said. She pulled out of Luc’s embrace and took a step toward Pete. Luc’s eyes bored into her, but she ignored him as best she could and led Pete into the sitting room. Luc followed and stood lounging against the wall inside the door, arms folded across his broad chest, watching them.

“Well,” Lia said after a couple of minutes of uncomfortable silence. She was doing her best not to squirm under the intense scrutiny of two sets of eyes. “It’s lovely to see you, Pete.”

“Er, yes.” Pete looked around him in obvious amazement.

Luc pushed himself off from the wall. He smiled, a smooth sophisticated smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m being remiss as a host. Let me get you both a drink. Scotch okay?”

Not waiting for an answer, he strode across the room and poured three drinks. He took two across, handed one to Pete, then put the other in Lia’s hand, closing her fingers around the glass. He went back for his own, and took a sip as he continued to watch them.

When nobody else said a word, he turned to Pete. “I’m having a party next Saturday night,” he said. “We’ll be announcing our engagement. Perhaps you’d like to come. I’m sure Lia would like to have an old friend present.”

“Announcing your what?” Pete whirled around to face Lia. “You’re engaged? Since when?”

She opened her mouth to deny it, and Luc shot her a sharp, warning glance.

“It was sudden,” Lia said weakly. She hated Luc for mentioning it like that; Pete was clearly shocked, and she glared at Luc. “Luc, I’d like a word with Pete. Alone.”

“No.”

“I wasn’t asking,” she said.

Luc looked at her in amazement. She got the distinct impression that he wasn’t used to people standing up to him and wasn’t sure how to react. “I’ll be in my office.”

“Who is he, Lia?” Pete asked when the door shut behind Luc.

“He was an acquaintance of my father’s. I thought he might be able to help me find him, and we just…”

Pete seemed perplexed, unsure as to what to say, as if he was thinking his words out very carefully, which was totally unlike Pete, because he was the most straightforward person she knew. “Lia,” he said, “you know what your father was like, don’t you?”

“Of course I know, I lived with him, and he wasn’t a nice man,” she said stiffly, “but that doesn’t mean Luc is the same.”

Pete raised an eyebrow. “My point is, considering what your father was like is it sensible to trust an old friend of his?”

“Luc wasn’t a friend, just an acquaintance.”

“And that makes it better? What do you know about him?” He waved a hand, encompassing the apartment. “Or is it just his money you’re interested in?”

“Pete!”

“Oh, I know you’re not interested in money for yourself, but you’d do anything to keep that house.” He took a sip of his drink. “You know I said I’d help.”

She sighed. “It’s not that simple, Pete.”

“So tell me.”

But how could she? She certainly wasn’t going to bring up those pictures. Pete would probably go bananas, and she didn’t want him getting into a fight with Luc. Despite the men being around similar size, Pete was a gentleman, while she’d bet Luc could fight dirty. She also knew now that she was never going to return Pete’s feelings; her reactions to Luc had shown how impossible that would be, and she couldn’t let Pete go on thinking there was a future for them. She had to be ruthless.

“Luc’s the first man I ever wanted.”

Pete winced. He turned away from her and stood gazing out the window for long moments. When he turned back, he seemed composed, but the hurt lingered in his eyes. “I was waiting for you to grow up. I guess I waited too long.”

“I’m sorry, Pete.” What else could she say?

Pete shoved his hands in his pockets; she saw the tension in the stiff line of his spine. “I guess that’s it then.” He placed his glass on the table.

Lia led him back to the door.

“Just remember,” he said, “I’m here if you need me, and the offer of the land is still open.”

He stood for a moment then took her in his arms and gave her a hug.

“Let her go.”

Luc’s voice came from behind. Lia stepped away from Pete, her fist clenching at her side. Going up on tiptoes, she kissed Pete’s cheek. “Thanks for coming.”

She watched as he walked away, then stalked back and plunked herself down on the sofa, turning to glare at Luc. He smiled and crossed the room to pour himself another drink before sitting opposite her.

“What’s this business he was talking about?” he asked.

“That’s none of your business.”

“Anything you do at the moment is my business, cara.”

“I told you last night—he’s buying some land from me.”

“So you can pay off the mortgage on your mother’s house?”

“Of course, you know everything about me.”

“I don’t want you accepting money from that man.”

She stared at him in amazement and was about to give a scathing answer when he continued. “In fact, I don’t want you having anything to do with him.”

Lia stared at him in disbelief. “That might be a little difficult, seeing as how he’s my boss and my trainer.”

“Then maybe you should start looking for another job. He wants to be more than your boss.”

“He knows we’ll never have that kind of future together. Clearly you were eavesdropping so you’d know what I told him. I need my job when this is over, Luc. I want my job. I love my job.”

“Why the hell would anyone want to slave away every day at that place?”

“It’s all I ever wanted to do,” she said. “I was your typical pony-mad teenager. After my mom sold my pony when I was fourteen and the money ran out, I haunted the local stables. I probably made Pete’s life a misery, but he put up with me, gave me a job when I left school.”

“You don’t need him. I’ll buy you a stable full of horses. I’ll hire you a new trainer.”

Standing up, she shook her head. He had no clue about real life. “I don’t want you to buy me anything,” she said sadly. “Forget about dinner. I don’t want any dinner. I’ll make myself a sandwich and eat in my room.” But as she slammed the door behind her and threw herself onto the bed, a strange, almost unbelievable, thought occurred to her. She stared at the ceiling as she turned the idea over in her mind.

Luc was jealous.